This evening I attended the Annual Celebration and Awards Ceremony for the Visually Impaired Team's 'No Limits' programme...

Our brilliant Visually Impaired Team led by Anne Lomas has been working over the last year on 'No Limits'; personalising the curriculum to address the needs of young people with visual impairment across the City.

Mike Brace, who was at the launch in September, was back again. Mike was blinded by a firework when he was ten and has used his passion for sport to enrich his life, undertaking over 50 sports ranging from surfing and sailing to skiing and cricket. Mike has run marathons, skiied marathons and canoed marathons as well as representing his country in three world championships, six paralympics and two European championships. Mike has managed athletics teams in European and world championships, managed the first England Blind Cricket Team, founded the Metro Sports Club for the Blind and was involved in setting up British Blind Sport, British Ski Club for the Disabled and the British Paralympic Association. Mike has been Chairman of British Blind Sport and Chairman of the British Paralympic Association. Mike is Chief Executive of Vision 2020 UK and is a Board Member of London 2012.

Mike's passion, energy and belief again shone through his session where he argued that every child should have a fundamental entitlement to sport and activity and that we need to work to remove the barriers that limit the potential of any child with a disability. We also had inputs from Suzy Snowden, Max's mum, who talked about how the programme had affected Max, and from Brian Harrington who has worked tirelessly to enable his son Sean to experience similar activities and programmes.

Eve McLeish has managed the 'No Limits' programme for the VI Team and achieved something quite remarkable for this very special group of young people, Working closely with parents, carers and partners this innovative, creative and unique programme which was funded through Innovation Fund monies has extended horizons, enriched lives and helped young people exceed expectations and aspirations.
Chris